Australia-Western Australia

Background Information

Introduction
Australia - Western Australia is part of the Australian Federation which consists of six States and two Territories. In land area, Australia is the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It has, however, a relatively small population.

State/Territory Western Australia
Capital Perth
Population 2.02 million
Australia 20.45 million

Health System
Overall the Australian health care system comprises a diversity of arrangements for planning, funding and delivering health services across the three tiers of Government and features a mix of private and public sector involvement.
Australia provides health care at all levels from Primary Preventative to Secondary and Tertiary. Australia is a world leader in some areas of health research.
The public health service is supported by a National Health Insurance Scheme (Medicare) that covers all Australians for access to public health services. Access to private health services is on a fee paying or Private Health Insurance basis. Approximately one third of all Australians have some form of private health insurance cover.

Registration Status

Registration - Legislation
Nurses Act of 1992. However legislation is likely to change later in 2006.

Responsibility for Registration
Nurses Board of Western Australia.

Licensing and Renewal
Completion of a Board approved qualification, English language competence, practised as a nurse within preceding 5 years, not been convicted of an offence the nature of which renders the person unfit to practise as a nurse.

Eligibility requirement for registration
After initial registration the nurse/midwife has the choice of 1 or 3 year renewal of registration if they meet the 5 year recency of practice requirement.

Categories of Nurses and Midwives
Enrolled, Registered, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Midwife, Registered Mental Health Nurse

Workforce Planning

Barriers to Movement within Country
If the nurse/midwife is registered in another Australian state/territory then they can be apply to be registered as a nurse/midwife in Western Australia under the Mutual Recognition Act (WA) 2001.

Mutual Recognition
No mutual recognition with other countries.
Regulation of Foreign-Qualified Nurses
Requirements as for Australian nurses.
Assessment of English language competence and/or a registration bridging program relevant to the category of registration.

Educational Standards-Nursing

Education Standard Required to Enter Pre-Registration Programs
Tertiary Entrance Score required by the university/TAFE.

Accrediting Pre-Registration Programs
The Board accredits providers and nursing/midwifery programs which lead to registration as a nurse/midwife in Western Australia.

Basic Qualification for Nursing Practice
Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Science (Nursing) for registered nurses
Diploma of Enrolled Nursing for enrolled nurses.
PG Diploma of Mental Health Nursing for registered mental health nurses.

Programs Provided by Education or Health Systems
Registered nursing programs provided by universities.
Enrolled nursing programs provided by TAFE colleges.

Length of Pre-Registration Program
3-1/2 years for registered nursing
18 months for enrolled nursing.

Involvement of regulatory body with curriculum development
Member of university/TAFE advisory groups.

Measurement of nurse education standards and quality
Education provider and program must meet accreditation criteria in the first instance. Education provider and program monitored through biennial visit, student focus group and annual reporting process.

Educational Standards-Midwifery

Education Standard Required to Enter Midwifery Programs
Bachelor of Nursing, bachelor of Science (Nursing). No direct entry programs accredited.

Basic Qualification for Midwifery Practice
Post graduate diploma of midwifery.

Accrediting Midwifery Programs
Board

Programs Provided by Education or Health Systems
Universities.

Length of Pre-Registration Program
1 year post-graduate.

Involvement of regulatory body with curriculum development
Membership of university/TAFE advisory groups.

Measurement of midwife education standards and quality
Education provider and program must meet accreditation criteria in the first instance. Education provider and program monitored through biennial visit, student focus group and annual reporting process.

Professional Standards

Ensuring Standards of Professional Conduct
ANMC Code of Ethics; Code of Conduct; Competency Standards.

Mechanisms for Complaint about Nurses and Midwives Practice
Complaints can be made to the Board in writing; Office of Health Review; Corruption and Crime Commission, Police, employers

Sanctions for Unprofessional Conduct
Board may impose conditions and restriction; censure; suspend or cancel license/registration in conjunction with the State Administrative Tribunal.

Unregulated Care Workers and Scope of Nursing Practice

Unregulated Care Workers
Are able to work within the state of WA. There is no provision in the registration legislation that regulates these workers.

Scope of Nursing Practice
Scope of Practice is determined through a decision-making framework which has been approved by the Board for use in Western Australian.

Contact Information

Ms Robyn Collins
Chief Executive Officer
Nurses & Midwives Board of Western Australia
Locked Bag 6
East Perth WA 6892
AUSTRALIA
Ph: (08) 9421 1100
Fax: (08) 9421 1022
Email: info@nbwa.org.au

Country Updates